Pro Football Focus says Texans have 25th best roster
Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) looks up during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Over at ESPN Insider, via Pro Football Focus, they recently ranked entire rosters of all 32 NFL teams, with the Houston Texans coming in at 25th overall.
This is how PFF described their rankings (via ESPN Insider):
"“We got together PFF’s analysts and composed a ranking of each team’s roster using our grading, data and football knowledge for added context.”"
Of the Texans, especially at the quarterback position, they have Ryan Fitzpatrick as a “below average starter, and Derek Newton as a “poor starter” at offensive right tackle. Also another “poor starter” listed at inside linebacker is Brooks Reed.
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J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson are the two Texans listed as “elite starters.”
Here is some of what they wrote about the Texans:
"“Watt was the best player in football a year ago and a virtually unstoppable force inside, generating 85 total pressures and earning them at a rate of one every 6.1 rushing attempts — a rate better than anybody not named Robert Quinn.”"
Basically the Texans span the color-coated chart system of PFF as they have some very elite players, and those who might need to be replaced for the team to return to the glory of winning the AFC South and retiring to the playoffs.
I don’t agree with Reed being a “poor starter,” but as some folks say (and the ESPN show) “Numbers Never Lie.”
I believe Reed could and should be a better football player in helping the Texans defense, but maybe he can with more help around him. Plus using the defensive system of Romeo Crennel, he could become an improved player on the defense.
The Texans also have a few players listed as “below average starters,” but it is hard to disagree with that as well.
I would like to see the list and rankings following the upcoming season, because I believe the Texans can break the Top 20 of this list as they are still in the early stages of revamping this team and franchise into something, hopefully, that will become better than No. 25.